NSU Splits Doubleheader with Hampton
NORFOLK, Va. - Shine Huwe's two-run home run propelled Hampton to a 2-1 win over the Norfolk State softball team in Game 1, but freshman Alina Moriarty and sophomore Melina Valles each drove in two runs to give the Spartans a 6-3 win in the rubber match Sunday afternoon at the NSU Softball Field.
NSU won the series over the Pirates after winning by a 4-0 margin on Saturday. The Spartans ran their overall record to 23-23 on the year and 12-6 in conference play.
Jailynn Jackson (11-13) struck out nine and gave up just two hits, one a solo homer off the bat of sophomore Nikki Jones, in all seven innings to pick up the win in the first game for Hampton.
Sophomore starter Jamie Schulle (12-10) gave up two hits and two earned runs with four strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work. Her only mistake, though, cost NSU as Huwe's two-run homer to center in the sixth proved to be the difference.
NSU then put six runs on the board against Pirate starter Travonna Byrd in the second game to earn the split.
The Spartans wasted no time in taking the lead in the second game, as senior Danielle Wright led things off with a single, and sophomore Kathy Cortez and freshman Haley Ward each reached base with no outs. Junior Gipsy Ramirez singled back up the middle to plate Wright, and Moriarty followed with a sacrifice fly to right for the second run of the game.
After a walk loaded the bases again, Valles hit into a fielder's choice to score Ward and give NSU a 3-0 lead.
Ramirez scored in the third for a 4-0 lead when Hampton could not get a clean field on a hit by senior Whitney Holland, but the Pirates finally got on the board in their half of the fourth. With two outs and runners in scoring position, Kerissa Burruel lined an RBI single through the infield to plate the first two runs of the game for Hampton.
The Spartans came right back, though, with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the frame. Cortez and Ward singled to start the inning, and Ramirez reached on a fielder's choice as Hampton was unable to get the out at second. Moriarty got hit on the helmet by the pitch to score the first run of the inning, and one out later Valles hit into a fielder's choice to make it 6-2.
Margaret Wilkins drove one up the middle in the sixth to plate Nina Ferguson to cut the deficit to 6-3 for Hampton, but freshman Liz Riley got out of the inning with no more damage and retired the Pirates in order in the seventh to secure the victory.
Byrd (12-18) allowed all six earned runs on five hits with five strikeouts in four innings of work. Riley (11-13) earned the victory in relief for NSU, giving up four hits and one earned run in 3.1 innings.
For the complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com or www.hamptonpriates.com
Savannah State Captures Southern Divisional Title Win Victory Over SCSU
Orangeburg, SC-- SC State dropped its final regular season MEAC series falling to Savannah State in all three games of the series. For the first time in three seasons, the Lady Bulldogs did not qualify for the MEAC post-season tournament.
SC State (14-29, 3-12 MEAC) continued to struggle offensively as they had just nine hits over the course of the three games. In Game One of Saturday's doubleheader, Taylor-Anne Harris scored the Lady Bulldogs only run as she crossed the plate in the bottom of the first off a sacrifice fly by left fielder Tiffany Harris.
After going scoreless over the first three innings, Savannah State (24-22, 12-3 MEAC) bats came to life. The Lady Tigers scored in three-of-the-four the remaining innings while holding the Lady Bulldogs scoreless. Savannah State scored two runs in the fourth, three in the fifth and two in the sixth en route to the 7-1 Game One victory.
Savannah State remained aggressive in Game Two of the doubleheader. The Lady Tigers scored seven runs off nine hits with no errors. The Lady Bulldogs did manage to knock out three hits but they also committed three errors as they dropped Game Two 0-7.
The start of the final game of the series on Sunday was much more competitive for the SC State. After allowing a run by the Lady Tigers in the top of the second the Lady Bulldogs quickly put up a run of their own in the bottom of the second to tie the game at one apiece. The Lady Tigers then took control of the contest scoring one run in the fourth, two runs in the fifth and one in the seventh for the 5-1 win.
For Savannah State, Tiffany Davies went 2-0 and Madison Hedderly went 1-0 with a save over the weekend. Vianney Gomez and Raven Johnson went 0-2 and 0-1, respectively for SC State.
With the win, the Lady Tigers clinched the southern divisional title.
For the complete story, visit www.scsuathletics.com or www.ssuathletics.com
NCCU Pulls Out A 2-1 Win In Three-Game Action Against N.C. A&T
GREENSBORO, N.C,- A total nine hits and three runs, guided North Carolina Central to a 2-1 victory over the Lady Aggies of North Carolina A&T State in three-game action on Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6 in Greensboro, N.C., at the Lady Aggies Softball Complex, along with the 2-1 victory, NCCU fell 6-1 on Saturday and 4-0 on Sunday to conclude the 2012 regular season.
In the win, which was delayed and moved to Sunday, May 6 due to rain, maroon and gray junior Shakemia Edwards tallied one run and two hits, as freshman Martha Batie slugged two hits. Senior Andrea Searls and sophomore Amanda Bullock each attained one run and one RBI.
NCCU junior Bianka Molina pitched a complete game, notching the win with four strikeouts against 27 batters, while allowing six hits and one run.
During the first game of the series, A&T led the contest 6-0 until senior Aurora Baker whacked a homerun in the top of the seventh to silence the Aggie fans.
Baker also maintained the mound for NCCU, by pitching for 6.0 innings allowing nine hits and six runs against 25 N.C. A&T batters.
During the final game of 2012, Edwards, Molina and junior Sarah Kaiser tallied one run apiece, while Molina pitched her final complete game. With 6.0 innings of action in the circle, Molina struck out three Lady Aggies, while allowing six hits and four runs.
For the complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com or www.ncataggies.com
Lady Hornets Clinch MEAC North Title With Sweep Of UMES
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Senior Casey Beighley pitched a one-hitter while striking out 10 batters in an 8-0 first game victory at Maryland Eastern Shore and sophomore Stephanie Sarris allowed just one run in game two's 10-1 win Delaware State clinched the MEAC North title for the second consecutive season Sunday.
The Hornets finished the regular season with a 25-16-1 overall record and were 14-3 in the MEAC. The three conference losses marks the fewest since the 2006 season when DSU finished 20-3 in MEAC play (including postseason) and the 16 overall losses is the fewest since 1994 when the Hornets were 18-10.
In the first game of the series, DSU led, 3-0, going into the bottom of the third inning at Lady Hawks Field before the skies opened and flooded the field. Officials delayed the game until Sunday afternoon and cancelled the third game in the set.
The Hornets tacked on three more runs in the top of the fourth, taking advantage of two UMES errors.
Delaware State closed things out in the top of the sixth, scoring two runs on three hits and another UMES error. Senior Jordan Reid led off the frame with a single and then stole second. With one out, fellow seniors Breanne Parr and Tawny Reeger each recorded a single to allow Reid to score. Sophomore Ashlyn Campbell reached on an error by the second baseman to load the bases and Beighley hit a sac fly to centerfield for the team's eighth and final run of the game.
Beighley struck out the final two batters of the game to record a career-high 10 strikeouts in contest.
The Hornets got on the board right away in game two, scoring four runs on four hits and two errors.
Del State added three more on four hits in the top of the second to take a 7-0 lead. Freshman Bria Green singled and sophomore Stephanie Martello smacked an RBI double before Parr homered.
The Hornets were relatively quiet offensively over the next three innings, recording just one hit while UMES registered two errors in the same time frame.
With three consecutive singles to open the sixth, Delaware State tacked on three more runs to take the 10-1 final lead.
Sarris picked up her eighth win of the season (8-4) as she threw 6.0 innings and gave up five hits, one earned run and one walk while tying a career-high with five strikeouts.
Parr finished the day 5-for-8 and was a double shy of the cycle in game two. The right fielder added in three runs and three RBI.
Reeger was 3-for-5 on the day, including a perfect 2-for-2 in game two, with two runs, three RBI and two stolen bases.
UMES ends their season with a 0-34 overall record and were 0-19 in MEAC play.
For the complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com or www.dsuhornets.com